The Emotive Lens

Ed van der Elsken (1925-1990) was a unique figure in photography, favouring the street over any other subject. His images evoke a sense of modernity, seeking out metropolitan locations such as Paris, Amsterdam, Hong Kong and Tokyo, “hunting” for moments that represented the time in which he lived. He sought a sense of reality through a truth that neglected artifice, openly revelling in the sensual everyday and its bold characters.